What Can I Do With This Major

Music Business

A Music Business major prepares students to pursue careers within the music business, such as record company operations, music publishing, artist management, publicity, concert promotion and booking. Coursework includes traditional business training (accounting, business law, finance, management and economics) with specialized music business classes (publishing, copyright law, artist management, public relations, concert promotion and marketing).

Content credited to Belmont University’s Office of Career & Professional Development.

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Creative Roles

Common Career Paths

  • Artist
  • Songwriter
  • Musician
  • Producer
  • Film and TV writer
  • Merchandise designer
  • Stylist
  • A&R (Artists and Repertoire) director
  • Music supervisor
  • Creative director/Music publisher

Employers

  • Music publishing firms
  • Talent agencies
  • Independent/Freelance work
  • Record labels
  • TV/Film production studios
  • Video game designers/Producers
  • Merchandising companies

Strategies

  • Complete and excel in entertainment internships.
  • Volunteer for industry events and nonprofit benefits.
  • Take courses in communications, entrepreneurship, and others related to entertainment.
  • Get involved with campus student activity boards or student unions.
  • Conduct informational interviews with people in jobs of interest, and build a strong network of contacts.
  • Organize songwriting sessions with other students.
  • Join local entertainment organizations.
  • Practice your craft. Sing, write, and play as often as possible.
  • Study songs. Listen to a wide variety of genres. Learn what makes a great song a great song.

Technical Roles

Common Career Paths

  • Recording studio management
  • Audio engineer
  • Audio/Sound designer
  • Broadcast audio engineer
  • Record/Video/TV production crew
  • Stage design
  • Lighting design
  • Radio

Employers

  • Record labels
  • Recording studios
  • Audio equipment manufacturers/Dealers
  • TV/Film production studios
  • Video game designers/Producers
  • Independent/Freelance work
  • Audio/Video production companies

Strategies

  • Complete and excel in entertainment internships.
  • Work for a campus or local radio station.
  • Gain experience by working at a local venue, recording studio, music festival, or by travelling with a tour.
  • Produce a local band or artist’s record.
  • Get involved with campus student activity boards or student unions.
  • Work in an audio equipment rental/sales store to learn more about equipment and maintaining it.
  • Conduct informational interviews with people in jobs of interest, and build a strong network of contacts.
  • Join local entertainment organizations.

Data and Business Management

Common Career Paths

  • Administration
  • Accounting/Finance/Royalty management
  • Copyright management
  • Music licensing
  • Entertainment law

Employers

  • Music publishing firms
  • Performance rights organizations (PROs)
  • Licensing firms
  • Business management companies
  • Entertainment law firms

Strategies

  • Complete and excel in entertainment internships.
  • Volunteer for industry events and nonprofit benefits.
  • Take courses in marketing, accounting, finance, communications, entrepreneurship, public relations, management, and others related to entertainment.
  • Get involved with campus student activity boards or student unions.
  • Conduct informational interviews with people in jobs of interest, and build a strong network of contacts.
  • Join local entertainment organizations.
  • Master business software programs such as Excel.

Marketing and Promotion

Common Career Paths

  • Radio/Concert promotion
  • Digital marketing/New media/Social media
  • Marketing
  • Public relations/Media relations
  • Music journalism
  • Event planning
  • Sales and distribution

Employers

  • Record labels
  • Music publishing firms
  • Performance rights organizations (PROs)
  • Artist management firms
  • Corporate marketing/advertising agencies
  • Independent/Freelance work
  • Media outlets

Strategies

  • Complete and excel in entertainment internships.
  • Volunteer for industry events and nonprofit benefits.
  • Work for a campus or local radio station.
  • Take courses in marketing, public relations, and others related to entertainment.
  • Increase digital marketing and technology skills by taking additional courses in graphic design and web design.
  • Promote campus events online through digital marketing and social media.
  • Get involved with campus student activity boards or student unions.
  • Conduct informational interviews with people in jobs of interest, and build a strong network of contacts.
  • Join local entertainment organizations.
  • Acquire sales experience inside or outside of the industry.
  • Write blogs/articles/press releases for school publications, events, and student organizations.

Touring and Live Entertainment

Common Career Paths

  • Booking agent
  • Concert promoter/Buyer
  • Venue management
  • Tour/Road management
  • Tour/Event marketing
  • Merchandise production/Sales
  • Event planning/Sponsorships/Festivals
  • Audio/Sound design
  • Stage design
  • Stage management
  • Lighting design

Employers

  • Booking agencies
  • Event management firms
  • Entertainment venues
  • Audio/Video production companies
  • Merchandising companies

Strategies

  • Complete and excel in entertainment internships.
  • Volunteer for industry events and nonprofit benefits.
  • Gain experience by working at a local venue, music festival, or by travelling with a tour.
  • Take courses in marketing, management, and others related to entertainment.
  • Get involved with campus student activity boards or student unions.
  • Conduct informational interviews with people in jobs of interest, and build a strong network of contacts.
  • Join local entertainment organizations.
  • Acquire sales experience inside or outside of the industry.
  • Find sponsors for campus events or benefits.
  • Engage with booking agencies through talent buying for campus concerts.

Artist Management

Common Career Paths

  • Artist development
  • Brand/Image development
  • Day-to-day manager
  • Radio promotions
  • Catalog management
  • Marketing
  • Publicity
  • Personal/Executive assistant

Employers

  • Music publishing firms
  • Artist management firms
  • Corporate marketing/Advertising agencies
  • Record labels

Strategies

  • Complete and excel in entertainment internships.
  • Volunteer for industry events and nonprofit benefits.
  • Manage a local band/artist.
  • Take courses in marketing, management, and others related to entertainment.
  • Increase digital marketing and technology skills by taking additional courses in graphic design and web design.
  • Promote campus events online through digital marketing and social media.
  • Work for a campus or local radio station.
  • Get involved with campus student activity boards or student unions.
  • Conduct informational interviews with people in jobs of interest, and build a strong network of contacts.
  • Join local entertainment organizations.
  • Write blogs/articles/press releases for school publi- cations, events, and student organizations.

Professional Associations

Related Resources

Occupational Outlook

Employment Opportunities